Why I went fragrance free...
Phthalates, artificial fragrance, and new research studies
Hi there,
Artificial fragrances are everywhere. From laundry products to air fresheners to soap and hair care products, we all carry scents with us wherever we go.
I recently purchased a used leather sectional, which has been temporarily stored in the garage. Walking into the garage, I can now smell a distinct floral odor emanating from the sofa. Laundry detergent, lotion, air freshener - something is lingering.
Artificial fragrances have a downside.
Phthalates are a type of chemical making headlines for their potential as endocrine disruptors. They are ubiquitous, and studies show that they are in most of our bodies. Phthalates are found in flexible plastics like vinyl -- and they act as fixatives in artificial fragrances, enabling scents to last longer. As a component of fragrances, phthalates are found in shampoo, lotion, dryer sheets, baby products, air fresheners, and cosmetics.
When I first dug into the research on phthalates about five years ago, the animal studies showed potential for health problems, but human studies seemed to be lacking. That is no longer the case, and there has been an explosion of studies published in the last few years on the effects of low-level phthalate exposure.
Genetic variants, of course, play a role in how quickly you break down and eliminate phthalates from your body.
You may read the research, look at your genes, and decide that phthalate exposure isn't a concern for you. However, if you are on the 'fragrance free' train with me, the lifehacks section of the article has a bunch of suggestions on avoiding exposure and speeding up elimination.
Gratefully yours,
Debbie
Phthalates: Genes, Detoxification, and Diet
Key Takeaways:
~ Phthalates are a class of compounds that add flexibility to plastics and vinyl. They are also found in artificial fragrances.
~ We are all regularly exposed to phthalates through food, inhalation of fragrances, and the degradation of vinyls and plastics in the home. Studies show that almost all of us have phthalates in our bodies.
~ Genetic variants play a role in how well we break down phthalates and how quickly we eliminate them.
~ Research on human exposure to phthalates now shows significant long-term health effects from these ubiquitous compounds.
What I've been reading:
Micro- and Nanoplastics Breach the Blood–Brain Barrier (BBB): Biomolecular Corona’s Role Revealed
This study looked at nano sized plastic particles and determined (in mice) how they cross the blood-brain barrier.
Nanoplastics can be incorporated into cells, including ovarian cells. This mouse study shows that nanoplastics can cause decreased fertility and abnormal ovarian function through increasing oxidative stress.